Daikin South Africa Partners With The Smile Foundation To Bring More Smiles To South African Children
Daikin – the world’s leading air conditioning brand – provides total climate solutions to create comfortable and sustainable interior environments for all to be able to experience the perfect environment. The company has decided to take this mission of making people feel better a step further by partnering with the Smile Foundation. Smiling is all about feeling good, and Daikin South Africa knows that giving the gift of smiles to South African children who need it will make a huge impact on their lives and the lives of their families.
The Smile Foundation is a non-profit organisation that facilitates expert surgical intervention and pre- and post-operative care for children living with facial paralysis, cleft lip, cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities, nose and hand conditions, as well as burn wounds.
When it came to Daikin South Africa choosing a partner for its philanthropic efforts, the Smile Foundation was a no-brainer. When Miguel Netto, Marketing and Communications Manager at Daikin South Africa, went to the Smile Foundation’s office, he was immediately struck by the great sense of the joy the team takes in making such a massive difference to children's lives! They ensure they are set up for the best chance at success and happiness.
“When I saw the work that they do, the partnerships that they have with doctors and nurses, and how invested they are in each and every child, there was no doubt that the Smile Foundation was the organisation we wanted to get involved with. Providing as many children as possible with a smile is something that Daikin would love to do in South Africa.
“Smiling makes you feel good, and that’s what we want to do as a brand – help these children in need feel good and supported. Everyone deserves to smile and this is what Daikin wants to ensure!”
In the initial phase of this partnership, Daikin will be sponsoring life-changing facial surgeries for children from around South Africa. However, the support goes beyond a day at a hospital. Daikin will be involved all the way from the operation to post-op care, including counselling and family support. “These kids will become part of the Daikin family,” says Netto. This initiative will provide continued support in an effort to change the lives of the children and their families for the better.
When a child is born with significant health challenges, not only will their own lives be impacted, but the lives of their family members, too. The medical bills involved can put extreme pressure on a family. Daikin isn’t just helping children in need smile – this project will help entire families smile and look forward to a brighter future.
Four children have already been identified for the first phase of the partnership and have been put forward by the Smile Foundation. Baby Azrah was born earlier this year with a cleft lip as well as various other facial abnormalities. One-year-old Banele has a cleft lip and cleft palate, and his mom has been struggling since he was born to get the right medical assistance. Suné is a 14-year-old who was left with severe facial injuries after a motor vehicle accident in 2022. Tshimologo Mogale, 5 months old, is the fourth child who will undergo the full operation being supported by Daikin. These four children will be receiving the surgeries they need to improve their lives, and we’ll be sharing their journeys toward the perfect smile along the way.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Daikin in transforming the lives of children in need of life-changing surgeries. Daikin is deeply committed to making a positive impact and enable children to live a life inspired by confidence and possibility. Their dedication to creating meaningful change aligns perfectly with our foundation's mission, and we firmly believe that by investing in children's well-being, we contribute to the betterment of society as a whole,” says Toni Jabour from Smile Foundation.
This is only the start – Daikin looks forward to giving the gift of a smile to more children in the coming years.
For our Mandela Day contribution this year, Daikin South Africa has also donated blankets (valued at R6,700 in support of the 67 minutes) to the Smile Foundation.
Daikin will also be participating in future collaborations and partnerships with customers and suppliers of Daikin in an attempt to bring more awareness to the Smile Foundation and also raise more money to pay for many more surgical procedures for children in need.
Daikin South Africa encourages corporates to get involved with the Smile Foundation and the incredible work that they do. Businesses can give the gift of a smile through one of the Smile Foundation’s CSI Programmes.
